Cleaner.



No. 793.834. PATENTED JULY 4, 1905. R. B. HUDGE.

ULEANER.

MPLIUATION FILED PEB. 6. 1904.

no. veaeefi.

narran S'rarit Patented ."l'uly et, i905.

ROBERT B. HUDGE, OF BUFFALO, NHTV wlvOltlf.

SPECIFICATION forming' part of Letters Patent No. 793,834, dated July .t, 19055.

Application tiled February 6, 1904:. Serial No, 192,324.

Be it known thatl, Rosnn'r B. Hopen, a citizen ot' the United States, residing' at Builfalo, in the county ot' Erie and State ol New York, have invented new and useful Vliinprovements in Steam-.Boiler Cleaners, ol which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a boiler tube cleaner consisting' ot' a steam nozzle or tube adapted to be introduced into the rear portion oi the combnstion-chamber for delivering' a steam-jet into the rear ends ot' the Ilucs and also against the bottom ot' said chamber, whereby the soot and other deposits detached 'from the inner faces oi the l'lues are liilted Vlrom the bottom of said chamber and blown forwardly into the chimney or smoke-stach. A llue-cleaner ol this character is shown and described in Letters Patent No. 720,252, granted to me February i0, 1903.

The object ot' my present invention is to improve the construction and operation of this kind ot' fiue-cleaner to permit ot' automatically projr-icting the same into the combustioncharnber t'or cleaning` the chamber and lines or retracting the same therefrom so as to clear said chamber when not in use in order to prevent the nozzle from being' burned unnecessarily.

ln the accompanying' drawings, Figure l is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional elevation ol" the rear part ot a marine boiler equiijiped with my improved cleaner. Fig'. 2 is a vertical cross-section in line 2 2, Fig'. 1. Fig. is a vertical longitudinal section, on an enlarged scale, ot the cleaner and the adjacent part of the boiler, showing' the cleaner in its projected or operative position. Fig. l is a horizontal section in line Lt, Fig'. 3, showing' the cleaner in its retracted or inoperative position. Fig'. 5 is a 'fragmentary horizontal scction in line 5 5, Fig'. 3. Figs. 6 and 'T are crosssections in lines 6 6 and 7 7, Fig. 3, respectively.

cdimilar letters ot reference indicate corre sjgaonding' parts throughout the several views.

ft represents the boiler, which is provided in ifs rear portion with the usual upright ennoltebox or combustion-chamber B and with 'fines extendilm' lorwardly trom the smoltebox to the chimney.

C represents a. short tu be or thimble extendingthroug'h the water-ermee between the rear head a et' the boiler and the back head t ot' the smoke-box and secured at its ends to these heads by Hanging' in a well-lnn'nvn man-l ner. This thimble lorms an opening' tor the introduction ot my improved cleaner into the smoke-box, which cleaner is constructed as tollows: l) D represent the t'ron t and rear tubular sectioi'is, which lorm the body ol the cleaner. The rear section is litted at its front end into the outer part ot' the thimble and rig'- idly held in place by means ol" external lugs (Z, formed on the central part thereol and secured by screws d or otherwise to the rear head oit the boiler. Near the rear end oli' the rear bodysection thesame is iin'ovided with a laterallyprojecting' branch lll, which is coi'mected with the steani-supply pipe lil/ This pipe is provided with a hand-valve ff for controlling' the admission oit steam. The front section ot the tubular bodyis connected with the rear section by means ol a telescopic joint to permit ot projecting` the lront section into the smoke-box when the cleaner is in use or to retract the same within the thimble when the cleaner is not in use. This telescopic connection is pret'- erably Vformed by sliding the rear-end oli' the liront section in the 'front end ot' the rear section. At its rear end the tubular Yfront scction is provided with an external annular Vl'lan,e Il, which lits the bore of the tubular rear section. This flange in the projected position otI the front section engages an internal annular `flange j at the Vfront end ot' the rear tubular section, so as to serve as a stop lor limiting` the `lorward movement et the front section, as shown .in Fig'. 3. The cooperating faces or shoulders ot' the flanges of? f are preferably beveled, as shown, so that when they are engaged they torni a steam.- tight joint, which prevenu; any steam trom passing through the cleaner at thisl point into the smoke-box. lit its rear end the trontsection is provided with a piston G', against which the steam impinges for pushing,l this section This pis tor ward into its operati ve position.

ton is preferably constructed in the form of l a central hub having a plurality of radial arms, which are secured in the bore of the front section by pins g and form openings g, 'which establish communication between the interior of both sections and permit steam to pass from the rear section to the front section. Upon opening the valve and admitting the steam the pressure of the same against the piston Gr causes the front section to bc moved forwardly until the front end of this section projects into the smoke-box, as represented by full lines in Figsl and 3. ln 'addition to projecting the front body-section of the cleaner into its operative position the steam passes from the rear section through the openings in the piston'into the front section and thence outwardly into the smokeboX, where the same is directed into the lues and toward the bottom of the smoke-box for detaching the soot and carrying the same forwardly through the fines into the chimney.

The nozzle at thc frontend of the front body-section for directing the steam is constructed as follows: H represents a rotary plug or head arranged at the front end of the front body-section and provided with a backwardly-beveled edge t, which engages with the correspondingly-bevcled inner end of the front body-section. This plug is provided with a jet aperture or passage L, which is arranged eceentrically and extends from the central part of the plugI to the periphery thereof, as shown in Figs. 3 and 7. On its rear side the plug is provided with a yoke or arch l, which bridges or straddles its jet-aperture and which is connected with the `front end of a tubular stem J. This stem is arranged axially within the front section and extends at its outer end through an opening formed centrally in the piston G. The steam issuing Afrom the eccentric jet-aperture of the plug in the projected position of the front body-section enters the rear ends of those flues which are within range of the steam-jet and passes forwardly through the same into the chimney, whereby any soot adhering to or lodged in those flues is detached and expelled through the chimney. Upon rotating the plug while the steam is issuing from the same in the projected i position of the front body-section the steam can be directed in a circular path over the entire area of the flu e-sheet for successively subjecting all of the flues to the cleaning action of the steam-blast. In order to permit of thus turning the plug from the exterior of the cleaner-body and at the same time permit the front body-section to slide freely into its operative or inoperative position, the following actuating or controlling mechanism is pro- 1 vided: K represents an actuating-rod arranged axially within the rear body-section and extending at its rear end through the head L at The actuating-rod is capable of rotating in the head L, but is held against lengthwise movement therein by means of an outer collar Z, secured thereto and engaging with the outer side of the head, and an inner collar Z, secured to the rod and engaging against the inner side of said head, as shown in Fig. 3. The actuating-rod is connected with the tubular stem of the plug in such manner that the stem is compelled to turn with the rod, but is free to slide back and forth on the rod in following the longitudinal movement of the front section. This connection is preferably effected by making the actuating-rod square in crosssection and also making the rear end of the tubulai stem J square, so that the same fits the actuating-rod, as represented in Figs. 3 and 6. By this means the actuating-rod when turned causes the plug to be turned with the same for directing the steam-blast against the several fines. The turning of the rod is preferably effected by a handle vn, applied to the outer end thereof. For the purpose of preventing' steam from leaking' past the journal of the rod in the head L the joint between the latter and the rod is packed by a stufling-box o. The. inward movement of the front bodysection may be limited by a stop device of any suitable construction. The preferred means for this purpose consists in making the tubular stem of such length that its rear end engages the collar 7 and arrests the inward movement of the Yfront section when the front end of the same is wholly within the thimble and nearly flush with the front end of the rear section, as shown in Fig. LL. On the under side of the front section adjacent to the plug the same is provided with a side jet aperture or opening p. In the projected position of the front body-section this side aperture is arranged comjiaratively close to the rear wall of the smoke-box, so that the steam issuing laterally or downwardly therefrom loosens or detaches the soot in the bottom thereof. The soot thus detached is lifted and carried forwardly through the flues into the chimney, this operation of the cleaner being the same as that described in my previous patent hereinbefore referred to. ln order to retain the side aperture of the front body-section always on the under side thereof, this section is held against turning in any suitable way. The preferred means for effecting this purpose consists of a screw or key q, arranged on the front end of the outer section and engaging' with a longitudinal keyway or groove q, formed in the outer side of the front section, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. Upon turning oill the steam and relieving the piston from the steam-pressure, the front body-section is automatically retracted into its inoperative position by means of the spring R. This spring' surrounds the rod K and stem J and is secured at its rear end to the the rear end of this section, while its front collar while its front end is secured to a end is arranged in the tubular stem of the plug. l collar 7c on the stem. The spring is prefer- IOO ably secured to the collars and l; by fornr ing lugs a on the exterior' thereof in the proper position to permit the end coils of the spring to be screwed on these collars, so that they interlock with the lug's a. The front collar bears against the rear side of the 'piston by means of an interposed washer s, so as to prevent longitudinal movement of the stein in the front section and hold the rotary plug' against its seat. To permit of taking up wear on the plug' or adjacent parts, the collar is connected with the stem J by a screw-joint, Wherebythis collar may be moved toward the piston of the front section for drawing the plug' against its seat. For holding the collar in position after adjustment the same is split and lirmly clamped on the stem by tightening' a bolt o1' screw t, which connects the split parts of the collar. rlhe front and rear parts of the tubular stem communicate with the front and rear body-sections by means of an axial opening a, formed in the arch, and a plurality of lateral openings w', formed in the rear part of the stem. The steam enters the stem through the rearopenings a and discharges through the front outlet-opening' a, thereby utilizing' the stem as a steam-conduit in addition to the tubular body, whereby the maximum steam-delivery of the cleaner is obtained.

My improved construction of boiler-cleaner permits of permanently attaching' the same to the boiler so that the latter can be quickly and tl'ioroughly cleaned by simply turning on the steam-valve and rotating' the plug.

l claim as my inventionH 1. A boiler-cleaner comprising a stationary rear tnbe-section having a steam-inlet, and a front tube-section movable relatively to the rear section and having a steam-outlet, substantially as set forth.

Q. A boiler-cleaner comprising a stationary rear tube-section having' a steam-inlet, and a movableil'ront tubesection adapted to project beyond the front end of the rear section andv having' a steam outlet, substantially as set forth.

A boiler-cleanercomprising'tubular front and rear telescoping' sections, a steam-outlet nozzle arranged on the front section, a steamsupply connected with the rear section, and means operating to automatically move the front section lengthwise of the rear section, substantially as set forth.

A. A boiler-cleaner comprising' a tubular rear section provided with a steam-su ppl y and a tubular front section having' a telescopic connection with the rear section and an outletnozzle and constructed to be projected by steam-pressure, substantially as set forth.

5. A boiler-cleaner comprising' a tubular rear section provided with a steam-supply, a tubular front section having a telescopic connection with the rear section and an outletnozzle and constructed to be projected by steam-pressi'n'e, and a spring' for retracting' the front section, substantially as set forth.

(i. A, boiler-cleaner comjiirising' a tubular rea-r section having' a steam-supply, a tubular front section sliding' in the rear section and, provided at its front end with a steam-outlet nozzle and at its rear end with a piston; and a spring' arranged between said sections and operating' to retract the front section, subw stantially as set forth.

7. A boiler-cleaner comprising a tubular rear section provided at its rear end with a strain-supply branch, a tubular front section sliding' in the rear section and provided at its front end with an outletaiozzle, a piston arranged at the rear end of the front section and having' openings arranged to establish communication between the interior of said sections, and a spring arranged between said sections and operating' to retract the front section, substantially as set forth.

8. A boiler-cleaner comprising a stationary rear tube-section having' a steam-inlet, a front tube-section movable relatively tothe rear section, and a rotary head arranged at the front end of lthe front section and having' an eccen tric steam-outlet aperture` su bstan tially as set forth.

A boiler-cleaner comprising' a tubular rear section having a steam-supply, a tubular front section having a telescopic connection with the rear section and provided in its side with a jet-aperture through which the steam issues laterally, a rotary head or plug' arranged at the front end of the front section and having' an eccentric jet-aperture through which the steam issues forwardly, and means for rotating said head from the exterior' of said sections, substantially as set forth.

l0. A boilcrcleaner comprising' a tubular rear section having a steam-supply, a tubular front section, a longitudinal actuating-rod ar ranged in said sections and capable of rotation therein but held against length wisc movement relatively thereto, a tubular front section having' a telescopic connection with said rear section, and a rotary plug arranged at the front end of said front section and having' an eccentric jetaperture and a connection with said rod which is constructed to compel the plug' to rotate with said rod but permit the head to move axially relatively to the rod, substantially as set forth.

1l. A boiler-cleaner comprising a tubular rear section having' a steam-supply, a tubular front section sliding' in the rear section, a piston ar 1ang'ed at the rear end of the front section, a rotary plug' engaging' with the front end of the front section and having' an eccentric jetaperture, a tubular stem projecting' rearwardly from said plug through said piston, a screw-collar arrang'eiil on said stem and bearing against the rear side of said piston, an actuating-rod turning' at its rear end in a head at the rear end of the rear section but IIO held against aXial movement therein while its front end slides in said tubular stem but is compelled to turn therewith, and a handle arranged at the rear end of said rod, substantially as set forth.

12. A boiler-cleaner comprising a tubular rearsection having a steam-supply, a tubular front section sliding in the rear section but held against rotation relatively thereto and having a jet-aperture in its side through which steam issues laterally, a rotary plug arranged in the front end of the front section and having an eccentric jet-aperture through which the steam issues forwardly, and means for rotating the plug from the exterior of the tubular sections, substantially as set forth.

13. A boiler-cleaner comprising a tubular rear section having a steam-supply branch at its rear end and an internal key at its front end, a tubular frontsection sliding' within the rear section and provided with an external longitudinal groove which receives said key and with a jet-aperture in its under side, a piston arranged at the rear end of said front section and having openings whereby communication is established between the interior of said sections, a rotary plug engaging with the front end of the front section and having an eccentric jet-aperture, a tubular stem projecting rearwardly from said plug through said piston, a front screw-collar arranged on said stem and bearing against the rear side of said piston, an actuating-rod for said plug capable of rotating in the rear section but held against axial movement relatively lthereto while its part end is square and receives the correspondingly-shaped rear end of said stem, a rear collar secured to the rear part of said rod, and a spring connecting said collar, substantially as set forth.

1a. A boiler-cleaner comprising a tubular body provided with a beveled front end, arotary plug' having an eccentric jet-aperture and a beveled edge engaging with the beveled end of said body, and means for rotating said plug, substantially as set forth.

15. A boiler-cleaner comprising a tubular body having a steam-inlet and a steam-outlet, a rotary plug arranged in said outlet, and a hollow stem operating said plug and serving as a steam-conduit, substantially as set forth.

16. A boiler-cleaner comprising a tubular body having' a steam-inlet and a steam-outlet, a rotary plug arranged in said outlet and having an eccentric discharge-opening, and an actuator for said plug consisting of a rod eX- tending through the body and a tube having one end connected with said rod and provided with a steam-inlet while its opposite end is connected with said plug and provided with a steam-outlet, substantially as set forth.

lVitness my hand this Qd day of February, 190i ROBERT B. HODGE.

lVitnesses:

THEO. L. Porr, EMMA M. GRAHAM. 

